next, a quick look at president obama and the first family last week at the national christmas tree lighting ceremony. ♪ [applause] >> merry christmas, everybody! >> it is great to see you all. happy holidays. happy holidays, mr. president. >> is it time? i think it's time. i hope everybody is ready. we have to do the countdown. starting with five. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. [cheers] ♪ >> merry christmas, everybody. ♪ >> please welcome the director of washington and st. john's church. >> let us about our heads in prayer. let us prey. gracious god who has blessed us with this good land for our heritage, we humbly pray that we may always prove ourselves to be a people mindful of your favre and glad to do your will. we pray that you will save us from violence and confusion, from pride, arrogant, and fear of each other. defend our liberties and fashioned into one united people of the multitude brought here from many nations and languages. those inthat you shower u our government that we may be a blessing to all of the nations of the world. in a time of prosperity, fill our hearts with think on this, a